Contourlet domain hidden Markov tree based detection algorithm for DRDC through-wall SAR (TWSAR) system applications

Brigitte Chan

doi:10.1117/12.850770

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18 April 2010 Contourlet domain hidden Markov tree based detection algorithm for DRDC through-wall SAR (TWSAR) system applications

Brigitte Chan

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Proceedings Volume 7699, Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery XVII; 76990D (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850770
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

DRDC Ottawa is investigating high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques to perform 3-D imaging through walls in urban operations. Through-wall capabilities of interest include room mapping, imaging of in-wall structures, and detection of objects of interest. Such capabilities would greatly enhance situational awareness for military forces operating in the urban battle space. Current activities include hardware and software development and testing of an L-band through-wall SAR (TWSAR) system. Detection algorithms and automatic target recognition (ATR) systems are under investigation using experimental 2-D data. ATR may be more difficult in urban environments due to the high number of detectable objects and multi-path artifacts. Furthermore, penetrating through walls presents a formidable challenge as wall effects can greatly interfere with image quality inside buildings. By classifying wall material, wall compensation algorithms can be applied to enhance the image. In this paper, we present results from our preliminary investigation on detecting internal and external wall structures and their features (including doors and windows as well as internal wall construction) from scenes acquired with a single channel L-band TWSAR system. We evaluate the effectiveness of automatic detection based on the contourlet domain hidden Markov tree in the context of detecting wall edges and building features, while minimizing the amount of false edge detection. This work will form the basis of wall compensation algorithm development. The detection technique will also be used to detect objects of interests beyond walls once the SAR images have been wall compensated.

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Brigitte Chan "Contourlet domain hidden Markov tree based detection algorithm for DRDC through-wall SAR (TWSAR) system applications", Proc. SPIE 7699, Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery XVII, 76990D (18 April 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850770

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